For the ex-situ conservation of giant pandas, both collecting and
preserving semen are important methods. The seminal plasma is rich in
nutrients and bioactive substances, such as proteins, carbohydrates,
lipids, amino acids, and hormones, which play an important role in the
reproduction and reproductive health of the species. This is the first
study to analyze the seminal plasma proteins of giant pandas through
proteomics and identified 1125 proteins. These proteins are related to
protein turnover, translation, and metabolism. The seminal plasma
proteins of giant pandas were then compared to those of humans, pigs and
sheep, with many unique proteins found in giant panda samples. Among
these proteins, the WD40 repeat-containing proteins have been identified
and implicated in sperm function and fertility. Understanding the
composition and function of proteins in the giant panda seminal plasma
proteome can provide valuable insights into their reproductive biology
and help develop strategies to improve their reproductive success in
captivity, which is essential for giant panda conservation.
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